HC Deb 26 November 1974 vol 882 cc235-6
20. Mr. Dempsey

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will arrange special leave of absence for English soldiers intending to marry Scots girls, and who require to lodge personal notice of this intention at their respective local registration offices; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Robert C. Brown

Special leave is not necessary for English soldiers stationed in England or Wales wishing to marry in Scotland. They may lodge notice of their intentions at the superintendent registrar's office nearest to their place of duty. Soldiers serving abroad may have more difficulty, but no such cases have been brought to the attention of my Department.

Mr. Dempsey

Is my hon. Friend aware that an English boy serving with the Army in Northern Ireland and anxious to marry his Scots fiancee can do so only by obtaining a special licence from the sheriff in Scotland, which together with the legal fees costs £20? It has been established that unless the soldier calls in person at the registrar's office for his place of residence in England he cannot marry a Scots girl without incurring those costs. Will my hon. Friend accept my advice and give such a soldier leave to make a personal call at his own office and give an intimation of his intention to marry a Scots lassie?

Mr. Brown

I think that my hon. Friend is on to something here. With regard to the sheriff's licence and the residential qualifications, I am sure that I should be extremely ill advised to become involved in the responsibilities of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland. If my hon. Friend has a specific case in mind I shall have a keen look at it, with a view to compassionate leave if need be.

Rear-Admiral Morgan-Giles

Does the Minister realise that the Question raises the whole matter of the domestic circumstances of soldiers serving in Northern Ireland? Does he realise that some infantry units are over there for the sixth time? Will he ensure that his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State does nothing in the defence review to reduce the numbers of infantry units, which would make the problem even worse?

Mr. Brown

I am sure that the hon. and gallant Gentleman will continue to take every opportunity to widen any Question to cover Northern Ireland, as he has done today. He will have heard what my right hon. Friend has already said this afternoon about that.